12/20/2025
Volunteers place 1150 wreaths at Quaker Cemetery
Story by 1st Sgt(R) D. Keith Johnson, WAA Location Coordinator
Photos by Lacie Smith, Aimee Hourigan and Angela Cokley
CAMDEN, South Carolina – (December 13, 2025) A large group of community volunteers, Veterans, servicemembers and their families recognized those who served our country by placing wreaths on the graves of Veterans at Quaker Cemetery, here in Camden.
The approximately 150 volunteers joined the thousands across the country that placed more than 3.1 million wreaths at 5596 cemeteries in the U.S. and 26 American cemeteries in foreign countries.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Keep Moving Forward,’ a point emphasized by the guest speaker.
“Let’s Keep Moving Forward. All Veterans have this in common; we all raised our hands, it’s an unbreakable bond and are willing to die for God, Family and America,” said Rev. Clarence A. “Shoe” Shuford. “Veterans’ sacrifices were not just for their own families or their own generation, but for the continuation of the nation and its ideals for all who would come after them.” Shoe is the American Legion Department of South Carolina Department Chaplain and a retired U.S. Air Force Veteran.
Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when a wreath company in Maine had 5,000 wreaths left over at the end of the season. He contacted Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington, D.C. and donated the wreaths to place them on servicemembers’ graves. It became so popular that in 2007 it was expanded outside of Arlington and has grown ever since.
Members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy Reserve, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, South Carolina Army National Guard, JROTC cadets, American Legion, VFW, Patriot Guard Riders, Boy and Girl Scouts, employees of the Columbia VA Health Care System and local volunteers participated in the ceremony and placing of the wreaths, some for the first time.
“This was my first time joining this event and it will be something I look forward to participating in each year,” said Lee Ann Richards, a nurse at the Columbia VA Health Care System. “I was overwhelmed and humbled. I loved seeing a community come together to honor our Veterans that have sacrificed so much for us.”
Six Boy Scouts from Troop 303, sponsored by American Legion Post 17, along with three members of Cub Scout Pack 303 escorted members of each branch of the military service during the ceremonial wreath portion of the ceremony.
“Some of these boys have been attending this ceremony for 5 years. They truly appreciated the privileged opportunity to participate in such an honorable manner,” said Angela Cokley, adult volunteer with Troop 303. “All of them are tied in some way to the military. So, this ceremony means so much to them. Thanks for the amazing opportunity.”
American Legion Department of South Carolina Commander Jim Rabon placed the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action wreath on the POW/MIA flag. “It was a privilege for me as the Department Commander for the American Legion of South Carolina, to participate with everyone there. It was a fitting way to show our patriotic respect for our honored fallen heroes.”
“Attending the Wreaths Across America event was a deeply meaningful experience,” said Bridget Schausten, chief of quality management at CVAHCS. “Sharing this experience with my granddaughter made it especially powerful. Standing together as wreaths were placed was a tangible way to connect her to our nation’s history and the sacrifices made to protect our freedoms. It reinforced the importance of remembering those who gave all, honoring their service, and ensuring these lessons are carried forward.”
Quaker Cemetery, founded in 1759, has approximately 1150 Veterans from the American Revolution to Afghanistan. There are generals to privates, a US Supreme Court Justice, governors, there’s even a Frenchman who fought in the French and Indian War in the 1740’s and decided to stay in the Colonies and became a successful South Carolina businessman. There is also a British pilot killed during training during WWII and a British Royal Navy officer.
The event would not have been possible without support from the community. The Wreaths Across America program at Quaker Cemetery has 17 sponsorship groups including American Legion Post 17, VFW Post 11079, 40&8 Vouture 1444, several schools, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy and a local church youth group.
“Wreaths Across America is more than a ceremony; it is a commitment to passing on gratitude, respect, and understanding to future generations,” added Schausten. “Being able to participate and share that mission with my granddaughter made the experience both personal and lasting.”
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